Dirigible headlight.



J. T. GILMER.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2. 191s.

l ,204.,35 l Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

l@ 7T. `IZ?? mev E 'mr-1.,..-

J. T. GILMER.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION F1LE0 MAR.2. 19|6.

l ,204,35 1 Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Syvum/Lto@ anormal:

J. T. GILME'R. olmmLE HEADLIGHT. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2 |916.

l 204,35 l I Patented Nov. 7, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

IIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIII rre.

JOHN THORNTON GILMER, OF FULTON, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 SAMUEL EARLE AIRESMAN, OF FULTON, ALABAMA.

DIRIGIBLE vJani-marcarfr.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedNov. 7, 1916.

Application led March 2, 1916. Serial No. 81,750.

in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

This invention relates to improvements invehicle headlights particularly those of the dirigible type to be used on automobiles.

The principal object of my invention is tol provide a device of this character by which the lamps may be automatically turned in the direction of movement of the automobile Iwhen the steering mechanism is operated.

An additional object 1s' to provide means In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1v represents a longitudinal section through the front end of an automobile showing one method ci attaching my improved light controlling apparatus thereto; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the front end ot an automobile showing more particularly the arrangement of the several parts of the device; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lamp controlling means removed from the vehicle; Fig. 4: is a central vertical longitudinal section of the parts shown in Fig.V 3; Fig. 5 isa horizontal section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; Fig. Gris a similar view on the line 66 or' Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of one of the interior parts of these controlling means; Fig. S is a view of still another part; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of one of the lamps with its operating means; Fig. 10 is a central vertical section through the parts shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view plan' on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a similar view on the line 13-13 of Fig. 10, showing one portion of the lamp locking means in plan view; Fig. 14 is a plan View of the cooperating locking means; Fig. 15 is a vertical longitudinal section showing a slightly different form of controlling means which may be used in connection with the lamps; Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the modified form shown in Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a similar view, parts being viewed at right angles to that shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a vertical section of the lamp operating means used in connection with this improved controlling means.

As shown in the drawings my invention is designed to be attached to the body B or the chassis C of any type of automobile A. The casing containing the controlling means is attached to the under side of the body B, preferably to the plate 1, the lamps L being mounted upon the fenders F. These lamps have the operating means connected directly therewith which in turn is connected to the controlling means beneath the body of the vehicle, said controlling means being attached to the steering mechanism so that when the front wheels of the automobile A are turned the lamps L will be turned in the same direction so as to throw their rays of light in the direction of travel.

While have shown the lamps L as mounted upon the fenders it is obvious that ,with very little changes it could be attached to any other part of the vehicle and still operate in the same manner.

In one form of the invention the controlling means is housed in a casing 2 prefer* ably cylindrical in shape and provided with an annular attaching flange 3 atene end by which the same may be secured to the plate 1 or lother part of the vehicle, the other end of the casing being closed by the bottom 4.

-From the center of the bottom i a boss 5 projects upwardly and has a socket 6 in its top in which a shaft 7 is disposed, the top or' said boss also supporting a preferably circular plate 8 from which an arm 9 extends. This'plate has a central aperture 10 to receive said shaft 7 so that it may rotate thereon, the arm 9 extending through a slot 11 in the upright wall of the casing 2 and provided with a slot 12 in its outer end. A plate 13 is preferably attached to the arm 9 bymeans ofthe bolts'lt whichare disposedY in said slot 12, thus providing means whereby said arm may be lengthenedif necessary.4

rlhe outer end of the plate 18 which forms a portion of the extensible arm is providedY with a depending cylinder in which .slides a rod 1G. r1`he lower end of this rod lhas a sleeve 17 formed integrally therewith in which a linger 18 carried bythe steering irod R of the steering mechanism'is disposed. F rom this description it will be seen kthat .when the rod R is shifted in either direction .the linger 18 will cause the rod 16 to-*move the arm Qin the same direction and rotate the plate 8 around the shaft 7. By providing the sliding connection between the rod rods 21, said disk also having an opening,V

through its center to receive the shaft 7. Between the edge of the'disk 2O and the wall of the drum 19 a cylinder. 22 is placed, said cylinderfhaving a number ofnotches 28 communica-ting withV its lower edge` for the reception of the rods 21. 1n this manner the cylinder 22 is slidably connected to the drum 1Q and will rotate therewith as long as the rods 21 are disposed in said notches 23. r1`he top lof the cylinder 22 has an opening to receive the upper Yend of the shaft 7, surrounding which is a hollow stem 24: which projects through an opening in a plate 25 which has a head 26 on its upper end. lThe head yis spaced above the plate 25 to receive aV cam Y carrying member 27 which is slotted as shown at 28 and surrounds the stein 24. @ne endof the member 27 is provided with cam faces 29 so that when the same is moved in one direction the faces will contact with the head 2G andjraise the cylinder 22 to disengage the lugs 30 carried by the lower edge thereof from slots 31 in the plate 8.- VV hen these lugs engage the slots it is obvious that the cylinder 22 and drum 19 will rotate with thepiate 8 when it is moved by the operation of the steering rod Ref the-steering mechanism, but when said lugs are raised out of engagement the plateS may be rotated withont movement of the druinor cylinder.

1 operate the cam VVcarryingmember by anypreferred means,that shown consisting of a rod 32 secured to one end thereof which extends rearwardly beneath the bottom Yof the vehicle to a point below the foot boardof the body where it is connected to a bell crank 38 which in turn is connected witha foot pedal 34: which can be operated V.by the drivers'foot. When Vthis foo-t pedal is' depressed the cam carrying ineinberwwill be'V casing 2, its opposite ends contacting with said-wall and with the head 8i carried byv said rod. This arrangement will'allow the headlights to normally turn in the direction of travel ofthe vehicle, while permitting the,

operator at his will to disengagethe parts and allow said lights to remain stationary.

1t is obvious that the means for oper ting the headlights L extends thereto from the drum 19. The specific construction of this connection is now about to be described.

The casing 2 isslotted onioppositegsidesY as shown 1t-38, the portion of the casingimmediately surroundingv these slots Vbeing strengthened as shown YatV 39 so that the flared ends 4G ofconduits Ll1 maybe readily attached thereto. These flared ends are Vpreferably rectangularin cross section and of aY width substantially the same as the conduits Ll1, and their edges are provided with attaching flanges l2 by which they :may be attached to the enlarged p'ortions'). As shown particularly in Fig. 5 the conduitsril receive the cablesfl-S, Vone pair thereof ruiming to each ofthe headlights L, theends of th-ecables be- Ving wound around the' drums 1Q andwc'onnected thereto. r1`he pair of cables from 'each of the-conduitsk is extended to theV drum in opposite directions and attached tothe ears ad. rEhe opposite ends ofthe conduits 41 are 5 also llared'as' shown at l5 `and provided with attaching flanges L16 in the sameman`Y 'ner as the other ends.

Y Each of the flared portions 45 is attached to one of'the-casings said casings being slottedV to allow the entrance of theV cables '-13 and are provided ioo 47 which contains the lamp operating means, Y Y.

around these slots with strengthened portions 48 Vsimilar to the casing V2.

Since eachV of the casings L17 and theV mechanism con-V tained therein are alike only one will be def scribed for the sake of convenience. ends of the cables after being extended into the casino' 4-7 are wound around a; saool 49 which is fixed to the lower end Yo-f a lamp shaft 50 which extends throughV the fender F or other support. The free ends-of these' cables are secured to the spool so thatthey Y will rotate therewith, the means for acc'oinf The plishing thisbeing alfiar fof :Shafts 51 roi tatablypmountedrin the lianges 52 ofthe spool- 19, said ends bein-gpassed through* openings in said shafts51land knotted. fheYY'V upper Vends of these shafts have ratchet gearsV isa 53 fixed thereto with which spring pressed pawls 54 coact to prevent retrograde movement thereof. The upper' ends of the shafts are squared to receive a key whereby the same may be turned to wind the cables therearound to adjust the length of the same to facilitate the rotation of the lamp. The fender or other support to which the lamp and the casing e7 are attached is preferably provided with an opening 55 directly over the ends of the shafts 51 to allow the insertion of a key for turning the same.

When the operator of the vehicle has depressed the foot pedal 34 so as to disengage the lugs 30 from the slots 31 to prevent the lamps being rotated when the steering mechanism is operated, and held in this position, said lamps will have a tendency to wabble around unless locked. I have provided a very simple means for preventing this, which comprises sleeves 56, one of which is disposed on each lamp shaft 50 and is connected thereto by means of pins 57 which are disposed in the bayonet slots 58. The interior surfaces of these sleeves 56 are of angular formation and are adapted, when it is desired to hold the lamps stationary, to be disposed around the angular collars 59 which surround the shafts 50 and .are secured to the fenders F or other supports by the attaching flange 60. W hen the sleeves 56 engage these collars the pins 57 will be in the vertical portion of the bayonet slots, thus holding the lamps rigidly on the supports or fenders. Jl/hen the lamps are to be operated by the steering mechanism the sleeves 56 are raised from the collars 59 and rotated slightly to dispose the pins 57- in the horizontal portions of the bayonet slots.

As shown in Figs. 15 to 18 the elements hereinbefore described may be changed slightly so as to produce a somewhat different apparatus for accomplishing the same results. In this modified form the controlling means is contained in a two-part casing 61 which is secured as the casing 2 by attaching flanges to the plate 1 or other part of the under side of the vehicle body. ln this form also a circular plate 8 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 7 and has slots therein to receive lugs 30 carried by a cylinder 22. This plate 8 is provided with an extensible arm 9 connected in the same manner to the steering rod R of the vehicle. The cylinder 22 is slotted as shown at 23 to receive the rods 21 by which the disk 20 is secured to the drum 19. The means for raising thc lugs 30 from the slots in the plate S is also the same as that illustrated in the form hereinbefore described. rlhis modified form, however, diii'ers in the means for transmitting the movement of the drum 19 to the lamps L. ln this case the upper edge of the drum 19 is provided with gear teeth 62 which mesh with any preferred form of gear wheels 63 fixed to the solid shafts Y64E on the ends of flexible shafts 65. The shafts 64 are rotatably mounted in bearings 66 and 67 carried by the two-part casing 61, which is connected by bolts 68 which pass through flanges 69 on the meeting edges of said parts. rEhe flexible elements 65 extend from the casing 61 to the casings 70 which house the lamp operating means, the ends of said shafts extending through openings therein as shown in Fig. 18. A bevel gear .71 is secured to the end of each shaft 65 within the casing 70, which meshes with an additional bevel gear 72 secured to one end of the lamp shaft 50. rlhese lamp shafts 50 are rotatably mounted in the fenders For other supports, and may be locked in stationary position by the same means employed in connection with the form hereinbefore described, when the operator of the vehicle does not care to have the lamps turned in the direction of travel. rlhe structure shown in the illustrations of this modified form may also be used with cables if it is so desired or if the flexible shafts get out of order. For this purpose the drum 19 is provided with attaching ears 44 for securing the ends of the cables thereto, and these cables may extend through slots 3S in the sides of the casing 61.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of my invention, it will be seen that l have invented a simple and inexpensive apparatus by which the headlights of an automobile or other vehicle may be caused to turn in the direction of travel thereof to throw the rays of light so that the driver can determine where his machine is running. In addition to the structure for carrying out this object it will be noticed that I have also devised means whereby the lamps may be held in a stationary position when it is not desired to have them turn with the movement of the front wheels of the vehicle.

l claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a vehicle having a lamp pivotally mounted thereon, of a plate having an arm extending therefrom, said arm being connected with the steering mechanism, a drum movable on said plate, a connection between said drum and lamp, means for connecting said drum and plate, whereby when said plate is moved by the steering mechanism the lamp will be turned, and means for discngaging said drum from the plate to allow said lamp to remain stationary.

2. The combination with a vehicle having a lamp pivotally mounted thereon, of a plate having an extensible arm formed thereon, a sliding connection between said arm and steering mechanism, a drum movable on said plate, a connection between said drum and lamp, and means for connee'ting said drumand plate,.wherebyfwhen"l said plateis moved by the steering mecha-V nism the lamp will be turned.

3. The combination with a vehicle having a lamp pivotally mounted thereon, -of a plate having an eXtensible arm formed thereon, a cylinder secured thereto, a rod slidable therein, a finger on the vehicle' steering rod and'having said fir'stmentioned Vrod connected thereto, a drum movable on said plate, a connection between said drum Vand lamp, and means for connectingsaid drum and plate, whereby Vwhen said plate is moved by the steering' mechanism' the lamp will be turned. Y Y

4. 'Ihe combination'with a vehicle'having" a lamp pivotally mounted thereon, of a plate having an'arm extending therefrom;Y

said arm being connected with the steering mechanism, a drum movable on'saidfplate,

a cylinder in said drum and connected thereto, means'for connecting said cylinderV to the plate, aconnection between said dru'm and lamp, whereby when said plate' isY movedv by the steering mechanism, the lamp' will be turned, and means for disen'g'a'gingA said plate and cylinder to allow said lamp' to remain stationary.

5. In a device of the classdescribed,` a

drum Yconnected with a lamp, al plate* attached to the steering mechanismofla'vehicle and movable therewith, meansfr: en-

gagir'ig` said Vplate and drum torotat'e' the Vlamp .when the steering mechanism is'ope'r`v i ated, and meansffor disengaging sa-idplateKV Y and drinn toprevent theflam-p fro'r'ir-beingv rotated. Y Y Y Y6. In aydevice'V of the class-described, a drum to beconnected with a lamp, aplate ,having an eXtensible arm thereon, Va sliding connection between f said arm and 'the steeri- 'I ing mechanism of a vehlcle whereby the" plate is VYmoved therewith, means vfor engag'# ing said'plate and'drum to rotate thelamp e when the steering mechanism is*V operated,- and means for disengaging said drum-from vthe plate to prevent rotation of said lamp;V

7. In a device of the class described; a

drum, a plate attached tothe vsteeringmech'- anism of a vehicle and Amovabletherewith, a

cylinder within said drum and connectedV therewith, means for connecting saidf cyl-V inder and plate, and mea'nsfor raising'said cylinder out of engagementf'with said`plate.-

8. In a device of the class described, a-

drnm, a plateattached to the steering mechanism of'a vehicle'and movable-therewith, a cylinder within said drinnV and connected thereto, ymeans for connecting said cylinder and plate',-1arstem rising from said'cylinder, Yai head thereon, a cam for co'a'ction with'v Y said'he'ad to raisef'said cylinder out of engagement with Ysaid plate, and mean'snfor holding said cam in retracted position.'

Ina Ydevice Yof the Vclass described, a

drum, `aV plate attached to thesteering'. mech; i

lanism of a vehiclefandmovable therewith,

10. Inl a device ofthe `class described,a

drum, a disk in said'i drum and'spaf'ced' from Y the wall thereof, rods connecting the edges of'v said disk` with said drum, a cyVlinder-dis# posedJ between'` the wall of saiddrum and' theedgesof said dish" and-havingl notchestherein to receive "said rods,:a1ug carried-by' said cylinder, y a plate attached' to vthe steering mechanismA of 'aY vehicle an-df:l movable therewith, said platefhaving-af slot thereinV normally1 receiving.-` said lug,- landmeans for* n: nm; deviee'fof the. dass' deserted, a'

drum, `disk-in said-:drum V-ar1cl-1spaced= from the w all thereof, :rods connecting the .edgesV ofsa-iddisk withl'zsa'id drumia cylinder dis-Y posed betweenthe wa'll ofrsaid drum' and 1 thee'dgesfof said disk and having-notches l.

therein 'l toreceive.'saidi'rods,l a lugon `said cylinden'.` plate*L attached to the steering mechanism of al vehicle and movable there-V with, said plate havinga* slot V'therein nor?" rrr-ally receivingsaid lug, -a`V ste'm 'rising-,from said cylinder, `a head thereon,- and l'a camv forV coaction withsaidheadfto raise said-cylin- Y Yder ont of engagement'fwith said. plate.

12, In t device or the dass@ descr-item@ suppornfa shaft; rising; therefrom, a' pla-te? rotatable on said shaft and attached tolV the steeringr mechanism ofi the vehicle, saidY plate havinf'gafsl'ot therein, a drum, a'disk in said dr'urnf1 and" spaced fronfrV the" wall the edges ,ofE said disk with said drum, a cylinder disposed between'the-*waills of sai-d Y thereof; Vsaid Having; an I open-ing .in its 1 Ycenter to receive-said shaft, rods'connectng.

drnm and-'the 'edges-'of' said fdisk "and havingr notchesl therein to; receive'v said^rods,`r ai' lug on'Vl said-E cylinder tn'orinally4 engage-'Vsaid-V slt,-a hollow stem? rising. fromfthfeftop 'ofY saidf cylinderv andn receiving said sha-fn* a head on' i said stem,v and 1 means: for coactmgl Vwith the head t for"` raising'V Said 'cylinde'r ont of engagement withsajid slot? Y g K 13'.y Irr aj' deviceof ther class described, a Y' lamp1 shaft havingl a lamp f on'fone` end, a spoolf'onthe Vopposite* endfa drum, means" connectedE with *the* drumtof operate f the@Y same when thesteering mechanism is-moved,

a connection between said spioolfanddrurm-f eratethe spoel tofrotate thelarnp', and 'me'ar'fsl for diSengaging-Seid 01mm from as Operas ing -means to prevent rotation lof the-' lamp.V 1 30 ifi. in a device of the class described, a lamp shaft having a lamp on one end, a spool on the opposite end, a drum, means connected with the drum to operate the same when the steering mechanism, is moved, a connection between said spool and drum, whereby movement of said drum will operate the spool to rotate the lamp, means for disengaging said drum from its operating means, and means for holding said lamp stationary when the last mentioned means is in operation.

15. In a device of the class described, a lamp shaft having a lamp on one end, a spool on the'opposite end, a shaft rotatably mounted in the flanges in said spool, a ratchet gear on the end of said shaft, a pawl to prevent retrograde movement of said shaft, a drum, means connected with the drum to operate the same when the vehicle steering mechanism is moved, a flexible connection between said drum and spool,

one end being attached to said last mentioned shaft whereby the same may be adjusted, and means for disengaging said drum from its operating means.

16. In a device of the class described, a support, a lamp shaft rotatably mounted therein, a lamp on said shaft, means for rotating said shaft to turn the lamp, a slotted sleeve on said shaft, the interior of said sleeve being angular, aV pin carried by the shaft and disposed in said slot, an angular collar secured to the support and surrounding said shaft, said sleeve being adapted to be disposed around said collar to prevent rotation of the shaft.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN THORNTON GILMER.

Witnesses:

A. L. MANEs, R; H. HARRIGAN.

i Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

